A Quick Review for Coping with Winter Driving (Continued)
Park for 90 minutes or less and turn off the engine to save fuel, even in cold weather.

Park where you can be reached for jump-starting and not where you’ll be plowed-in.

Park out of the wind when possible – using buildings, trees, and other trailers.

It helps to restart the engine every few hours when the temperature is below 0°

Don’t let air out of the tires to gain traction. This does no good and could affect steering until you get to an air hose. Properly inflated tires get a better bite. Cold temperatures may lower tire air pressure so check them more often when it gets cold.

A good fuel additive may make more sense than blended fuel because blended fuel costs more and it reduces your fuel economy.

Don’t use ether to start an electronic engine and don’t pull-start a diesel engine – both can damage your engine.

Personal Safety
Wear your seat belt and maintain three points of contact when exiting and entering the cab. Never jump out to the ground, especially onto ice or into deep snow.

Keep the trailer floor free of ice and snow when loading and unloading.

Hope for the best and plan for the worst. Carry some extra warm clothes and some food. Put these items below in a plastic bag to keep them clean coveralls, warm boots, mittens, cap with ear covering, scarf to cover face, dried fruit, candy bars, granola bars and crackers

Remember that wind-chill is the combination of cold and wind and the effect of this combination on exposed human flesh. Fingers, toes, and ears freeze the quickest.

When the sun comes out after a snowstorm protect your eyes with quality sun glasses.

Equipment
A complete pre-trip will do a lot to protect you and to protect the motoring public, but a post trip may also be a profitable use of time since it allows repairs during idle time.

Carry some basic tools and at a minimum a fuel filter wrench, pliers, screwdrivers and flashlight to keep you moving and out of hazardous conditions.

Check to be sure that brakes, tires, wipers, defroster & heater, batteries, block heater, lights, belts, hoses and exhaust are in top condition.

Pay special attention to radiator coolant and make yourself aware of the difference between high-silicate and low-silicate coolant and how this will effect your engine.

Be sure you have enough chains to comply with chain laws where you will operate.

Never use open flame to thaw a frozen fuel filter. Replace your fuel filter before the temperature gets cold. Carry a spare fuel filter and extra windshield washer solution.

Never operate with a dry fifth-wheel.

The very best wishes to you for a safe and profitable winter season. You are the professional driver – be proud of it – we are.

Reprinted with Permission: American Truck Tax – PO Box 1000 – Kittredge, CO. 80457 – 888-640-4TAX – www.attrucktax.com